Current statistics on arrests, convictions, and prison inmates and recent studies on violence by women indicate that the number of women who commit violent crimes is rising. Violent crimes include murder, rape, terrorism, gang participation, domestic violence, and prostitution. The first section, "Women Who Kill," discusses women who murder their partners in response to physical abuse. In "The Female Rapist," women are shown to be the aggressors in sexual assaults. Another violent crime, rarely associated with women, is terrorism. Recent studies show that female terrorists are displaying extreme viciousness and cruelty. As women struggle to meet their economic needs, their participation in gang activities that include muggings and thefts has increased. The physical abuse of children and partners by women appears to have surpassed the incidence of domestic violence by men. Violence that stems from prostitution involves the prostitutes' need to support their chemical dependency. Studies reveal that the increase in violence is not restricted to adult women, and the number of female juvenile offenders is also increasing. Four reasons are cited to explain violent women: (1) premenstrual syndrome; (2) the women's liberation movement; (3) economic pressures; and (4) substance abuse. Six suggestions are included for curbing violent behavior. (DJC)